Calochortus excavatus
Calochortus excavatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Monocots |
Order: | Liliales |
Family: | Liliaceae |
Genus: | Calochortus |
Species: | C. excavatus |
Binomial name | |
Calochortus excavatus Greene | |
Calochortus excavatus is a species of flowering plant in the lily family known by the common name Inyo County star-tulip.
Distribution
The flowering plant is endemic to eastern California, where it is known from several reduced and threatened populations in Mono and Inyo Counties. It occupies grassy habitats in alkaline Shadscale scrub plant communities, alongside Atriplex and other playa halophyte flora.
The main threat to its existence is loss of local groundwater.
Description
Calochortus excavatus is a perennial bulb, growing a slender unbranched stem to about 30 centimetres (12 in) in maximum height.
The inflorescence bears 1 to 6 erect bell-shaped flowers in a close cluster. Each flower has three sepals which lack spotting, and three white petals. The petals may have green striping on their outer surfaces and generally have a red-purple blotch at the base. The anthers are reddish to purple.
See also
- Endemic flora of California
- Natural history of Inyo County, California
- Shadscale scrub plant community
- Saltbush scrub plant community
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Calochortus excavatus. |
- Jepson Manual Treatment for Calochortus excavatus
- USDA Plants Profile of Calochortus excavatus (Inyo County star-tulip)
- Flora of North America
- Calochortus excavatus — UC Photo gallery